CHITRAL: The speakers at a seminar titled “Development issues of Chitral” here on Sunday expressed their dismay over poor performance of the departments concerned in execution of development schemes, especially the roads infrastructure projects in Chitral.

The seminar was organised by the Chitral Development Movement (CDM) to take into account the status of development of public welfare programmes in the district.

Speakers including Shahzada Siraj ul Mulk, Waqas Ahmed advocate, Liaqat Ali, Khalil Ahmed and others reiterated that the unavailability of proper roads was the major factor of Chitral’s backwardness.

They demanded timely completion of Shandur Road by the National Highway Authority with required specifications of construction.

The speakers regretted that Chitral had never been given priority by any government during the past 77 years, and this area was subjected to step-motherly treatment by the rulers.

They also cited the power sector as the neglected one and said that more than 5000 MW of hydro-power was being wasted due to the ignorance and inefficiency of the government.

The speakers also urged the authorities concerned to award a comprehensive development package for both the districts of Lower and Upper Chitral.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2024